Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-06-01
ALL O MONTANA.
Genera, information for Pesple Seek
ing Homes.

ing Homes.
Many people who seek information
about Great Falls are also DESTROYS to
learn something about Montana in general.
Such NAV be informed with certainty that
the building of the Manitoba and Montana
Central railroadsthrough this territory, Tor
a length of about 800 miles, will provide
= wide field for settlement. Montana IS
rich in natural resources. 1t contains an
area of 90, OO0, 0Os acres, OF which 25,ooo,-
600 are arabic with a rich tenacious SOIL.
DRY AND PURE AIR.
The mild climate of Montana, which is
peculiar in a latitude so high, is accounted
for in part by the natural law, stated by
Prof. Agassiz, that 500 feet of altitude in
its climatic influence is equal to one de-
gree of latitude. The passes over the
highest ranges in Montana have no greater
altitude than 5000 feet above the level OF
the sea. The highest peaks of Montana
ale not as high as the timber line of Colo
RADIO. The tables of the Hayden survey,
compiled by Prot. Gannett, show that
nearly all the arabic valleys of Montana
average from 500 to 1900 feet lower than
the most fertile ones of Colorado and
Utah. The official report referred to
shows the average altitude Of Montana to
be $3.50 feet less than the general average
of Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming and
Colorado, which is equal to more than
seven degrees of lower latitude. Thus,
Montana's lower altitude more than COM
pensates for the higher latitude. The iso-
thermal line of SOC Fahrenheit passes
through Harrisburg, Cleveland and Chi
cago. raises to St. Paul and upwards
through the northeast corner of Dakota,
and passes westerly north Of Dakota and
Montana. The northerly curve of the iso-
thermal line is largely owing to the infiu-
ence Of the great warm Japan current of
the Pacific ocean and the prevailing ives
terly chinook wind. Consequently Mon
tana, far inland as it Is, partakes of the
well-known milder climate of the Pacific
coast. The atmosphere is dry, pure and
exhilarating, and taking the seasons to-
gether, there are few divisions OF the
United States where the climate.is better
suited to the pursuits requiring open air
life, or more healthful and pleasing in its
effects upon the individual, than that OF
Montana.
FOR THE PEOPLE.
There is no better land anywhere than
is found in Montana. A large portion is
adapted by soil and position to agricul-
tural pursuits, with sufficient rainfall for
general crop production. Its numerous
mountain streams adequately provide
cheap facilities for irrigation wherever
irrigation is required, or whenever it con-
duces to the best results of field culture.
Water being abundant and convenient and
bitches inexpensive. it has been found to
pay in many places to irrigate, as it insures,
every year a certain crop and an increased
yield. The yield per acre of wheat, oats.
barley and vegetables-without irrigation
where it is not needed, and with irriga-
ton where it is required-is very large.
and the quality is of the best. Montana
wheat Yields as to DO bushels to the acre,
weighing from 81 to So pounds to the
hushel. while As to So bushels is not an
unusual crop. Oats yield 80 to so bushels
to the acre, and weigh from Al to 45
pounds to the bushel. Potatoes, onions
and all vegetables attain a great size and
an abundant yield. Dairying is exceed
ingly profitable, the rich grasses produc-
ing the best butter and cheese. The ter
ritory is not yet self-sustaining in respect
to farm products. The population being
largely composed of miners, stock-raisers
and herders, the home consumption is
great and prices are high.
GOOD FOR CATTLE RAISING.
Montana is the best grazing country in
the world, the grass being better and more
abundant than in any of the states or ter
ritories further south. Cattle require no
other food during the winter than the ma
tive grasses supply. The bunch grass
grows profusely, not only in the valleys
and on the benches, but on the foothills
and the mountain slopes. In the early
spring, before the ground is free from
frost, bunch grass puts forth its tender
spears, rapidly natures, cures early, and
stands as hay until the succeeding spring.
The spears are round, fine and tender, and
are wonderfully nutritious. Cattle fatten
upon it quicker, and keep in better con-
dition, than those which feed upon the
blue grass of Kentucky or the buffalo
grass of Nebraska and Colorado. The
beef is remarkably sweet, tender and
juicy. The number of cattle in Montana
in 1885 was estimated at about 1000, 900
head.
GOLD, LIVE AND COPPER.
1t is impossible to give a correct es-
innate of the vast mineral of
Montana. The earlier search for the pre-
cious metals was here prosecuted by
means of gulch Or placer mining. In the
occupied portions of the territory new
placers are being discovered, and there
are large areas which will pay a hand
some profit whenever labor can be pro-
cured to work them. Montana is rich
in deposits of gold, silver, copper, lead and
iron-bearing ores, and of coal; while tin
and other minerals abound. There is an
abundance of limestone, building stone,
and fine pottery clays. The total yield of
gold from 1862 to 1884, inclusive, amount
ed to $159,O12, 1888; that Of silver to $685.
3228, 1853 total $1s4, A GAG. The value of
the output of the mines in 1885 is estimat-
ed at $233 $4,000 and each year shows a
steady increase. In addition to a large
number of older rich mining districts,
within the last two or three years import
onf d-eyelonmaDt have beer made at say-